Sports
Sports Minister Joins Sokoto Guber Race
Minister of Sports, Yusuf Suleiman has joined the race for the Sokoto Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket.
Suleiman picked the expression of interest and nomination form from the party’s National Headquarters last Wednesday in Abuja.
Suleiman’s entry brought the total number of aspirants to three.
Other aspirants who had collected nomination forms earlier were the incumbent Gov. Aliyu Wamakko and Sen. Umar Gada.
Suleiman told newsmen that his mission was to develop the state.
“I am here to answer the call of my people, to pick nomination form for the governorship of Sokoto State.”
The former Minister of Transport explained that it took him time to pick the form.
“I am still a serving cabinet member of this administration and to take such a step requires not only my personal judgment and conviction but everybody that is involved in this process,’’ Suleiman said.
“And today we are here because we believe we can heal and reconcile the good people of Sokoto state.
“We are here because we believe that our participation in this race will be for the good and in the best interest of the people of Sokoto State”.
“Sokoto State needs development and I think any good thinking person from Sokoto state who has the capacity, no matter how small, needs to join hands to make sure that we realize the potential that we believe our state has.
“Sokoto can be one of the best states if properly guided; if properly managed and I know of my competence, and I know of my skills and I know of what I can bring and am sure that with the support of Allah, we can make Sokoto a model state,” Suleiman said.
On Nigeria’s recent woeful performance in sporting activities, he said there was need to develop the culture of grooming young athletes to replace the ageing ones.
“Every Nigerian is bordered, every Nigerian is worried but I have always said it. The degeneration in Nigerian football is not just in football, it is general in Nigerian sports as a result of some kind of neglect in terms of athlete replacement policy.
“ We are having ageing athletes and we have not done anything properly to replace them and I think the sports environment in Nigeria generally needs to be improved if we are going to genuinely be competitive globally,’’ Suleiman added.
He said that small countries were investing more in sporting programmes and activities and Nigeria needed to wake up and do commensurate investment “if we are to continue to excel globally in terms of sports”.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.